Moody Gardens

Moody Gardens is the attraction that turns a Galveston beach trip into a full family day, and its three glass pyramids on the bay side of the island are one of the most recognizable sights on the Texas coast. The Rainforest Pyramid is a tall, humid glass enclosure planted as a tropical forest, with waterfalls, lush planting and free-roaming birds, monkeys, sloths and other animals that you spot among the leaves rather than behind glass. The Aquarium Pyramid holds one of the larger aquariums in the region, organized by ocean regions, with penguins, seals, sharks and rays, and an underwater tunnel where fish glide over your head. The Discovery Pyramid hosts rotating science and traveling exhibits, so check what is showing before you go. Around the pyramids you will find 3D and 4D theaters showing nature and family films, a ropes course and zip line, animal encounters that let you meet some of the residents up close, and, in summer, Palm Beach, a sandy lagoon area with a lazy river and splash features. In the holiday season the grounds become Holiday in the Gardens, with ICE LAND, an indoor ice sculpture exhibit, and a holiday show, which makes Moody Gardens a winter destination as well as a summer one. Tickets work on a per-attraction basis, with a one-day value pass that bundles the main experiences; for most families the pass is the better value if you plan to see two pyramids or more. Hours change weekly and seasonally, and the attraction publishes a daily hours and pricing sheet every Friday, so check it before driving down. Moody Gardens has its own hotel, spa and golf course on the same campus, and it is about an hour from central Houston by car, longer on summer weekends.

Do the pyramids in the right order. Start with the Rainforest Pyramid early, when the animals are most active and the humidity has not yet built up with the crowds, then cool down in the Aquarium Pyramid, which is the most popular and most comfortable on a hot afternoon. Leave the Discovery Pyramid and a film for the middle of the day, and add the ropes course if your children are old enough and you still have energy. Families with small children should plan on about four to five hours; adults who just want the two main pyramids can manage in half a day.

Moody Gardens is at its best on days when the beach is not an option. Rain, wind or extreme heat send many Galveston visitors indoors, so it can be busy on stormy summer days and during spring break, and quieter on mild weekdays in fall and winter. The holiday season brings a different crowd for ICE LAND and the lights, with dressed-up evening visits that suit couples as well as families; book holiday-season tickets in advance, and dress warmly for the ice sculpture exhibit, which is kept well below freezing.

Combine Moody Gardens with a stop at the Pleasure Pier and a walk on the Seawall for a classic family day on the island, or pair it with the Strand and Bishop's Palace if you prefer history. Parking is on site. Food is available in the attractions, though prices are typical of a major attraction; a picnic outside or a meal on the Seawall or in downtown Galveston is a cheaper alternative. If you are staying overnight, the Moody Gardens Hotel is on the same grounds and sometimes sells packages that include attraction passes, while a hotel near the Strand or the Seawall puts you closer to restaurants and the beach.